Fujinon XC 35mm F2: the standard photographer

No Xcsss into your wallet!

Most of the todays compact photographic system will offer you a kind of "standard" optic that have an angle of view of approximative 45 degrees. It used to be called a "normal" lens may be because it was the lens model firstly chosen the most during the 35mm film analog era. We won't discuss the virtue to select a specific angle of view or lens model as your primary optic., it is up to everyone to choose a tool that will correspond the most for their needs.

Many "standard" focal fixes lenses are compact unit and are doted of a fairly large maximum aperture going from the economical F2 up to the very expensive F1.2. Again, the choice is yours depending how much money you want to spend, what is the main purpose of the optic and ... how deeply you fall in love with the lens model! For myself, I have always appreciated to work with small (compact) unit that are easier to bring with you, to hold and more discrete in front of your subject (less intimidating).

The Fujinon XC 35mm F2 corresponds to all these criteria with a selling price point that represent a bit of sanity in this photo equipment market that seems to have abolished the better economical quality products to concentrate on the very expensive niche ones. With a weight of 130g and a dimension of 5,9 X 4,7cm, this standard fix focal lens will combine nicely with a camera body model such as the X-E, X-A and XT/2-3digits Fuji X-series. The lens construction seems to be mainly polycarbonate (plastic), even for its lens mount plate which can be a bit of concern for the people who are changing their lenses in use every ten minutes. No aperture ring is present like its cousin pricier alternative (XF 35mm F2 R WR) and there is no weather resistant (WR) provision. So, a special care is recommended if you intend to use it in adverse conditions. The filter accessory size is 43mm and the Fujinon XC 35mm F2 is able to be coupled with the same dedicated lens hood of its XF35mm F2 R WR cousin (A JCC version is available at a sensitively lower price point).

Now, what we can do with such a "normal" lens? In fact, about everything if you agree to move and position yourself accordingly. In interior areas, the lens is missing a greater angle of view but will force you to concentrate on details rather than full context although, you can create a composite panoramic view to partly compensate that limitation. As for face portrait, the XC 35mm F2 will ask you to later crop your subject in post-processing thus preventing facial distortion. For all the rest, this Fujinon XC 35mm F2 can be a winner most of the time. It is a fast lens at F2 compare to the standard zoom counterpart but there is no optical stabilization option provision and your shutter speed selected as for the subject movement can be critical. But if you are doing follow action photography, its larger angle of view compares to telephotos can be a real advantage.

Some photographers have progressed from standard or normal lenses to other different focal length models. Others simply stick on the "normal" ones mainly may be because it is a good predictable lens in term of angle of view and perspective. With time and experience, some photographers will gradually transit from the normal angle of view, 45 degrees, for a more extreme one such as wide angle (more inclusive) or telephoto (more discriminate) lenses.

The Fujinon XC35mm F2 lens autofocusing and manual focusing (by wire) mechanism is efficient and accurate although you can sense an obvious "breathing" phenomena when you are switching between different subject distances. You can decently work into close focusing subject distances, the manufacturer minimum is set at 35cm. The manual focusing ring is large but doesn't offer much of a helping resistance to set the focus point. You can feel that the lens got a light construction design although its component apparent quality seems fine. No aperture ring is present on the lens, as for all Fujinon XC series optics, and we have to rely in using a camera command dial to do so. The XC35mm F2 seems to deal fairly well with flare in front light source situations.

With a maximum aperture of F2, the Fujinon XC 35mm have a moderate versatility in term of deep of field and can permit you to select a higher shutter speed which is appropriate for a lens model without any optical stabilization system provision. You may have to pay more attention to that specific setting (shutter speed) to prevent blur induced by the photographer, so. nothing is perfect!

As I have mentioned in past posts, a standard lens can be a very versatile optic providing you accept to move yourself a bit more compare to in using a zoom lens. The big advantage of that is the fact that you spend more time to check the perspective of your subject and refine its final composition. It can be a decisive factor for getting more powerful picture results. In view of that, this may be explained why many used to call it a "school" optic.

Because the Fujinon XC35mm F2 is a cheap lens in term of its low-price level, it allows us to select it as a first optic to combine with a new camera. It prevents to spend too much money for a lens that the frequent use could be abandoned later. Moreover, as an emergency spare lens, it can be part of a lighter photo bag or even a multi-use messenger satchel.

If you are looking for a first lens with stretch versatility, the Fujinon XC35mm F2 could be a wise choice. My only hope is that Fujifilm could eventually produce a similar XC series model in the wide angle (16-18mm) and the telephoto (50-70mm) ranges.

(First published in June 2020, Edited in July 2021)